March 30, 2014 - Finalists announced and all finalists entries sent to the final judges.

April 30, 2014 - Winners announced and posted on website

May 13, 2014 - All score sheets returned to contest entrants

Enter the opening five (5) pages of romance novels of all sub-genres (projected length of at least 50,000 words).
Eligibility: Contest is open to published and unpublished authors. Published authors may submit only unpublished, uncontracted manuscripts that will remain unpublished until the contest has concluded.
NOTE: All entries will be judged collectively.

Categories:

Contemporary: Single title; category; mainstream; or inspirational in a contemporary setting.

Historical: Single title; category; Regencies; suspense; mainstream; or inspirational in an historical setting.

Paranormal: Time travel; ghost; futuristic; inspirational in a paranormal setting; or paranormals of all other kinds.

Mystery/Suspense: Single title; category; suspense; mainstream.

Young Adult/New Adult: Single title; category; suspense; mainstream.

*URWA reserves the right to combine categories if fewer than eight entries are received.*

Final Round Judges

Contemporary: Victoria Curran - Harlequin

Historical: Pam Ahearn - The Ahearn Agency

Paranormal: Elaine Spencer - The Knight Agency

Mystery/Suspense: Mary Sue Seymour - The Seymour Agency

Young Adult/New Adult: Judith Engracia - Liza Dawson Associates

Awards

An individual may enter more than one manuscript, may enter in more than one category and may enter more than once per category; however, each submission must have its own entry fee and completed entry form.
The same entry may not be entered in more than one category. Manuscripts that won in previous Great Beginnings Contests will not be accepted.

Each entry will receive three scores; The lowest score will be dropped.

The first place recipients will be awarded a $10 gift card, a bookmark and a certificate.

All other finalist will receive certificates.

All finalists will be recognized in the Romance Writers Report.

First round entries will be judged by avid readers as well as published and unpublished authors, who are encouraged to comment on entries.